10 minute read
7 Ways to Play Outside This Winter
7 Spots for Winter Sports (That Are Not Downhill Skiing)
Sledding, tubing, winter camping and Nordic skiing are winter’s other fun
written by Jean Chen Smith
WITH WINTER upon us and the possibility of snow, you are either clapping your hands in excitement or shaking your head in disappointment. If you are like me and have an aversion to heights but love the outdoors, there is no need to hibernate through the colder months! We have a winter place for you that does not involve downhill skiing as the only option. There is an activity for everyone, so get out there and stay active this season with the help of our guide.
Ice Skating (Portland Area)
The recently remodeled Lloyd Center ice rink in Portland is open yearround and is the central attraction, surrounded by a shopping center that has more than 140 stores, ten cinemas and a diverse food court.
The ice rink provides lessons in addition to private rentals for birthday parties and groups. A stop here during the winter promises hours of fun along with the opportunity to explore the mall. Easily accessible by car and public transport.
There are several other options for ice skating nearby, one of them being the Sherwood Ice Arena, located a thirty-minute drive from downtown Portland. In addition to freestyle skating, the rink also has stick time, pick-up hockey as well as lessons and group events.
The Winterhawks Skating Center is in Beaverton, a fifteen-minute drive where public skating can be found in addition to ice hockey, lessons, and the opportunity to enroll in the Winterhawks Youth Hockey League. This arena is popular because it is the practice facility for the Portland Winterhawks, an American major junior ice hockey team that plays their home games in Portland’s Moda Center and Memorial Coliseum.
TIP: Be sure to check each individual facility’s website for information on pricing and schedules. // LEARN MORE: www.lloydice.com; www. sherwoodicearena.com; www.winterhawksskatingcenter.com
Sledding and Tubing (Mount Hood)
Even though there is some incline involved, sledding and tubing do not require the skills needed for downhill skiing. What could be more fun than going down a hill on a sled, surrounded by soft white snow? Kids will love the experience and adults will find it thrilling, without having to do too much of the work. White River West Sno-Park is a popular destination for sledding, among other outdoor activities such as crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing. With spectacular views of Mount Hood, this area can become quite crowded, so arrive early and be patient. Make sure to be aware of rocks and to stay a distance away from the river when sledding. White River West Sno-Park is located on Oregon Highway 35 approximately 4 miles north of US Highway 26. To make a weekend out of it, book a stay at the classic Timberline Lodge, which offers cozy accommodations after a day of physical activity.
TIP: Always check weather and road conditions first. Do not drive down Forest Service roads that are not properly groomed. Check the Oregon 24-hour snow report by calling 511. A State of Oregon Sno-Park permit (available at www. oregon.gov/ODOT) is required November 1 through April 30. // LEARN MORE: www.fs.usda.gov
Skibowl is best known for “The World’s Only Cosmic Tubing,” which entails tubing down a slope at night surrounded by over 600,000 LED lights, laser light shows as well as rock music. During the day, little ones can try the Kiddie Tube Hill while adults looking for a thrill can experience the Extreme Tube Hill. This winter wonderland includes an indoor two-story Super Play Zone, Kids Tubing Carousel, Frosty’s Playland and Mini Z snowmobiles, so plan for a full day of fun.
TIP: The resort also offers dining and lodging. Open on weekends and during the holidays. Please check the website for weather conditions. // LEARN MORE: www.skibowl.com
Sled Dog Rides (Mount Bachelor)
Trail of Dreams in Three Sisters gives explorers an opportunity to experience Iditarod sled dog rides which allow for breathtaking views of Broken Top, Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor while gliding over snow at a steady speed. Owned by Racael Scdoris, who finished her first Iditarod in 2006, the experience includes orientation and trail time. There is also the option to help in the watering and feeding of sled dogs after the fun ride!
TIP: Children must be at least 3 years old to ride in a sled and children ages 3 to 12 years old must ride with an adult. No more than three people per sled (two adults and one child) for a maximum weight of 450 pounds per sled. // LEARN MORE: www.mtbachelor.com
Nordic Skiing (Southern Oregon)
Approximately twenty minutes from Ashland, Buck Prairie Nordic Trail system is nestled in the CascadeSiskiyou National Monument and offers more than 30 miles of trails with terrain ranging from easy to more challenging. Both Natasha’s Web and Bullwinkle’s Run are great starting points for beginners. Natasha’s Web, a 4.8-mile loop, is accessed at the Buck Prairie Sno-Park. After about a mile, the road splits and skiers should bear right and begin a slight incline. To do the entire loop takes approximately 2.5 hours where you will go through a meadow before returning to the Buck Prairie Trailhead on a lower road. Bullwinkle’s Run follows the same route as Natasha’s Web until the meadow, where you will come to a trail map board and look for the Bullwinkle sign to the right. e trail ends at an overlook with expansive views of the Rogue Valley, where you will turn back and return to the parking lot. For a more challenging adventure, check out Peabody’s Wayback, which begins at the end of Bullwinkle’s Run and is a steep climb with several switchbacks through trees and forests.
TIP: Not all trails are dog friendly, but Buck Prairie 2, which is also known as Fido’s Trailhead, is. There are several easy and fun routes for you and your four-legged friend. Check out Homer’s Hide Away, which is an easy loop with views of forests, streams and meadows. Daily parking permits are $5 per day, per vehicle. // LEARN MORE: www.alltrails. com/trail/us/oregon/buck-prairie-trail
Snowmobiling (Central Oregon)
The Cascade Range showcases some of the best snowmobiling adventures. Managed and operated by Moon Country Snowbusters snowmobile club, the system highlights more than 250 miles of regularly groomed snowmobile trails. By far, the most popular are Dutchman Flat Sno-Park and Wanoga Sno-Park. Dutchman Flat is closed to vehicles from November through May and includes high-elevation thrills along with panoramic views. Take your snowmobile and cruise up to Todd Lake and Tumalo Mountain then ride the 10 miles over to Elk Lake Resort to grab a lunch or hot chocolate for a perfect winter day.
Wanoga Sno-Park provides access to motorized dog-friendly snowmobile trails, as well as offerings for sledding and tubing. Begin from the warming tent in the lot and be prepared to have open access to more than 180 miles of groomed snowmobile trails between Crescent Lake and Santiam Pass. Additionally, a warming shelter between Wanoga and ree Creek Sno-Park near Sisters offers respite from the cold for some warmth and rest.
TIP: Sno-Park Permit required November 1 through April 30. Parking for both locations can be a challenge, so plan to arrive early and as always check weather conditions prior to proceeding. Riders are encouraged to a “leave no trace” approach to sharing the backcountry with other winter sports enthusiasts. // LEARN MORE: www.fs.usda.gov; www.mcsnowbusters. wixsite.com/website
Ice Fishing (Southern Oregon)
Sure, ice fishing is popular in the Midwest and Alaska, but in Oregon? Yes, there are some options when the temperatures are cold enough and lakes are frozen over sufficiently. If you decide to try the sport, proceed with caution. Refer to information from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife for details and safety precautions.
Lake of the Woods is in the Fremont-Winema National Forest in Southern Oregon and covers about 1,140 acres. Located between Medford and Klamath Falls, the lake has rainbow trout, yellow perch, brown trout, and kokanee as well as smallmouth bass. e resort offers lodging and dining as well. Check with the resort ahead of time for ice thickness.
Fish Lake, east of Medford and Grants Pass along Highway 140, is known to have trout, Chinook salmon and a hybrid species known as tiger trout for ice fishing. e lake is 4,600 feet deep and typically freezes over completely by January or February. Fish Lake resort has lodging and dining, a perfect place to stop after your ice fishing adventure. If not staying at the hotel, there is a fee to park.
TIP: Winter temperatures can vary, so never take a chance getting on a lake that might not be frozen. No special license is required, just a valid angling license. Peruse the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website (www.dfw.state.or.us) for more detailed information. // LEARN MORE: www.lakeofthewoodsresort. com; www.fishlakeresort.net
Winter Camping (Eastern Oregon and the Willamette Valley)
With the right gear and preparation, winter camping can be a lot of fun. Because most people are not camping in the middle of winter, this makes for an opportunity to have the outdoors all to yourself. Known to some as the “Little Switzerland,” of Oregon, The Wallowas and Eagle Cap Wilderness lie in the northeastern part of the state in the WallowaWhitman National Forest, originally occupied by the Nez Perce Indian Tribe dating as far back as 1400 A.D. There are options for campsites as well as yurts operated by Wallowa Huts, which give snow enthusiasts a tad more comfort and respite from the cold. The company holds four- and five-day long trips with food provided, a sauna and of course cozy yurts with several camps to choose from—McCully Basin, Wing Ridge, Big Sheep, Norway, Schneider and Cornucopia. Elevation starts at 6,400 feet.
For an area that is less remote, Champoeg State Heritage Area in the Willamette Valley is a unique winter camping experience throughout its forests and wetlands. The state park is open year-round, offering campsites, cabins and yurt rentals. Situated along the Willamette River, the area provides a historical context of Oregon as it is on the National Register of Historic Places with a rich history dating back to the 1800s, when the first official government was formed in the state.
Though you might not see as much wildlife in the colder seasons, there are more than 130 bird species in the ecosystem, including acorn woodpeckers, Steller’s jay, and the goldencrowned kinglet to name a few.
Champoeg has a visitor’s center with exhibits which retell the history of the Kalapuya Indians and early settlers. Some cabins and yurts close for the season, so it is best to call ahead and make reservations in advance.
TIP: There are pet friendly yurts and cabins available at Champoeg State Heritage Area, but dogs must always be kept on a 6-foot leash, unless at the off-leash dog park. Facilities include showers, bathrooms and potable water. Firewood is available for sale. The standard camp fee applies to one vehicle only; additional vehicles are subject to fees. Drones are not permitted. Call 800.452.5687 for reservations. // LEARN MORE: www.wallowahuts.com; www. stateparks.oregon.gov